Camp Staff

Bil Zarch

Bil Zarch is the Director of Camp Yavneh. Previously, Bil was the Head of School at Krieger Schechter Day School in Baltimore and Lander-Grinspoon Academy in Northampton. Bil was an active professional in the Boston community as the Director of the High School at Prozdor and oversaw the period of growth from 150 to 900 students. Bil has a deep love of Yavneh where he spent seven amazing summers back in the 80's and 90's. Bil earned a bachelor’s degree in public communications from SUNY Buffalo, a master's degree in Jewish education from Hebrew College, and is a fellow and graduate of the Day School Leadership Training Institute. (DSLTI). Bil was in the first cohort of the M2 Camp Educators Cohort: The Institute for Experiential Jewish Education. Bil was the award recipient for Exemplary Jewish Community Leadership from the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts. Bil currently serves on the board of the Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Boston. He is married to Rebecca Peterfreund Zarch. Their two children are current Yavneh campers, Raviv (K'25), and Danya (K'27).   

Estelle Lajmer Gomolka

Estelle is a 5th grade teacher at The Greater Boston SSDS. She is a graduate of Maimonides school. She is celebrating her 41st summer at Yavneh (K’79). She has held many positions at Yavneh including Rosh Banot(head girls counselor). Estelle has well over 20 years teaching swimming and holds her WSI, lifeguarding CPR and First Aid instructor. She is married to Guy and has two children.

Chana Israel

Chana is currently the Lead Teacher for Kindergarten and First Grade Judaics at the Hebrew Academy of the Capital District. She has directed Jewish educational programming over the past 20 years for students from pre-school through high school.  Chana has been a member of the chinuch staff for the past nine years and only three of her four children will be at camp this summer.

Rabbi Yaakov Komisar

Yaakov is thrilled to begin his first summer at Camp Yavneh. Rabbi Yaakov teaches Jews of all backgrounds at Gann Academy. He studied for rabbinic ordination under Rabbis Adin Steinsaltz, Menachem Froman, and Ariel Holland at Yeshivat Hesder Tekoa in Israel, while also serving as a combat soldier in an IDF artillery unit. Before moving to Massachusetts, Rabbi Yaakov was managing editor of Rabbi Steinsaltz's Koren translation of the Talmud Bavli and taught at Ezra Academy and the Jewish High School of Connecticut. He is married to DeDe Jacobs-Komisar, a Boston-area theater professional. They live in Sharon, MA with their three kids: Nani (8), Itai (4), and Uri (almost 2), who are all excited to also be starting their first summers at Yavneh!

Shira Loewenstein

Shira Loewenstein has been coming to camp for a long time. She started as a camper in Maalot and has served in many roles throughout the years including Rosh Sailing - one of the odder positions for her! When Shira is not paddling around the Agam, she can be found in South Florida where she teaches children (at a school), and teachers (at an arts collaborative that partners with public schools).  She also works remotely for Brandeis University coaching Jewish day school teachers who are learning to improve their leadership skills. This summer Shira will be at camp with some of her five children who will most often be found in the Sukkah Levanah waiting for a good gaga game.

Miriam Loren

Miriam is a graduate of Columbia University Teachers College and worked for many years in Early Childhood Special Education, running classrooms for developmentally delayed children and their parents. Miriam has also worked as an evaluator, diagnosing children and evaluating them for special services. Miriam lives in New Rochelle, NY with her husband Ari and her five boys, three of whom will be joining her at camp.

Erin Robbins

Erin is the director of communications at Camp Yavneh. Prior to camp, she was the founder and chief writer at Reword Nerd - a content and strategy business. Erin also has nonprofit experience in program management, fundraising, and event planning. She completed her B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Oregon, an M.A. in Middle East Studies from Ben Gurion University, and a graduate certificate in Israel education from the George Washington University. An active community member, Erin is currently vice president at Young Israel of Sharon and on the Sharon Cultural Council. In her spare time you can find Erin completing her first book about Israel, spending time with family, traveling with friends, and discovering great stories.

Michelle Rosenhek Zelermyer

Michi is thrilled to be back for her third summer at Yavneh! Michi’s love of engaging youth and young families in meaningful Jewish ‘edutainment’ (education and entertainment) fits perfectly in the camping world. She earned her B.A. from Concordia University in Psychology, and a Master’s degree from McGill University, in a collaborative program of the Jewish Studies and Education departments. Very involved and active in her home community of Montreal, Michi loves the chance to learn about other Jewish communities each summer through her interactions and conversations with campers and staff from all over the U.S. She enjoys reading, traveling, being outdoors and playing sports, cooking, listening to music, and spending time with family and friends playing all sorts of board games and card games. Michi is married to Cantor Gideon Zelermyer and has two sons, Max and Ben, who look forward to their summers at camp too!

Lisa Rubins

Lisa has been attending Yavneh for 45 years (really!) as camper (K’85) and counselor. She has held a variety of positions, learning about camp from many perspectives. During the school year, Lisa teaches at the Solomon Schechter School in White Plains, NY. She holds a masters degree from the Jewish Theological Seminary (JTS). Lisa comes to camp with her husband Scott who is Head of Safety at Yavneh and son, Jack who loves camp as much as she does!

Steve Shimshak

Steve Shimshak is thrilled to return to Yavneh as the Head of Lower Camp after a 17 year hiatus. He has served in a plethora of roles at camp in the past; as a chanich (K'94), madrich, and rosh ayda. Steve lives in Needham, MA with his wife Becca, twin 5 year old girls Bella and Zoe, and dog Lucy. He teaches 3 and 4 years olds at Temple Beth Shalom Children's Center also in Needham. Steve met his wife Becca (K'92) at camp 21 summers ago! 50 Yavneh-ites attended their wedding in 2005 where they had a mock Maccabiah breakout complete with team pamphlets and Lemala-Lemata!

Netanel Spiegel

Netanel has been taking care of our campers and staff since 2012. He has a rich history in culinary and hospitality management. Netanel recently moved here from Israel to work for Yavneh full time. Netanel oversees Yavneh food service (YFS), housekeeping, transportation, and the Yavneh retreat center. Netanel can’t wait for summer to arrive, and he loves when the chanichim ask for seconds.

Alanna Wolf

After a five year hiatus, Alanna Wolf is excited to be back for her 15th summer at Yavneh as Rosh Noar (Head of Upper Camp)! Alanna has served in many roles at camp - as a chanicha (K’08), madricha and rosh ayda, and she is a proud second generation Yavneh alum. Alanna also met her husband, Herschel Singer (K’09), at Yavneh! They currently reside in Northampton, MA, where she works as an occupational therapist.

Adina Zarchan

Adina brings over 20 years of Jewish communal experience to the role of Director of Philanthropy and has devoted her professional career to building and strengthening the Jewish community. Before Joining Camp Yavneh, Adina served as Director of Major Gifts for New England for Jewish National Fund, and prior to that, Program Director of Temple Solel in Paradise Valley, Arizona where she was responsible for overseeing fundraising, program development, leadership development and volunteer management. Additionally, Adina has held roles at both American Cancer Society and United Jewish Communities (currently known as Jewish Federations of North America). Adina is thrilled to again be part of the Yavneh family where she previously spent two fantastic summers as a camp counselor and Director of Arts and Crafts. You can still find her Maccabiah shelet on display in the Chedar Ochel! While raised in Newton, she has lived and worked in New York, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Phoenix and is happy to return to her roots.  

Aaron Butler – K’15

Rachel Wechsler – K’15

Rachel is literally counting down the days to Kerem ‘20! This will be Rachel's 4th summer on staff, and her 11th summer spent at Yavneh. Rachel can't wait to relive Kerem with her favorite campers. From Zimriyah to Kerem Karnival to KTV and Manhigut, Rachel is looking forward to what will no doubt be an amazing Kayitz at Machane Yavneh. Between summers at camp, Rachel studies Diplomatic History at the University of Pennsylvania and listens to Zimriyah songs every week.  Rachel loves reading, snacking, and has already begun planning for Kerem 2020!!!!   

Noam Borensztajn – K’16

Noam is currently in his sophomore year at UMass Amherst studying Judaic Studies and Psychology. This will be his ninth year at camp and his third on staff. Noam loves Zimriyah with his campers and is excited to renew the dynasty again this year (last year was a fluke)! Noam is excited to experience Maalot summer with his ayda, and can’t wait to get started!

Daniella Hanau – K’16

Daniella is so excited for Kayitz '20! This will be Daniella's 3rd summer on staff and her 13th summer spent at Yavneh. Daniella can’t wait to be a part of Maalot ‘20 and be reunited with her campers! From Hampshire hills to Maalot peula to Acadia, Daniella is looking forward to this special kayitz! Between summers at Yavneh, Daniella studies Public Health at the University of Maryland. Daniella loves sports, music, and being surrounded by people she loves. As the days get closer, Daniella can hardly wait for Maalot '20!

Amanda Kaplan – K’15

Amanda is beyond excited to be Rosh Leviim for summer 2020! This is Amanda’s 12th summer at camp and 4th summer on staff. She can’t wait for the amazing new things Aydat Leviim will get to do this summer, like Yom High School, boundary breakers, exciting overnights and trip days, and so much more! When she is not at the Machane, Amanda is a student at the University of Michigan studying public policy with a minor in business administration. While studying for exams, Amanda is listening to Zimriyah songs and always thinking of Yavneh. She is so excited to be back in her favorite place with her best friends and Kerem ’22 for Kayitz 2020!

Ethan Naviasky – K’15

Ethan is a Junior at SUNY Geneseo and is studying international relations and spent this spring studying in Athens, Greece! This summer will be his tenth at camp, and his fourth on staff. Ethan is excited for all of the amazing things that come with being back at camp, from Shabbat to the Agam to Zimriyah and much, much more! Ethan enjoys sports, skiing, spending time with friends, and sitting by the fire with a good novel. He can’t wait to see everyone and have a blast at Kayitz 2020!

Merav Schwartz – K ’15

Merav can’t wait to be back at camp as Rosh Arayot for Kayitz 2020! This will be Merav’s 4th year on staff and her 12th summer at camp. She is looking forward to all of the awesome activities that Aydat Arayot gets to do, like Ketzev, an amazing overnight, meltzing, and finally being part of upper camp! During the year, Merav is a student at Barnard College studying Women and Gender Studies and Education. When she’s not doing work for her classes, Merav spends her time telling her friends about how much she loves camp and even sometimes makes them listen to Zimriyah songs! She can’t stop talking about how excited she is to spend another amazing summer in her favorite place with all of her favorite people!

Yuval (Yuvi) Sagi

Yuvi is super excited for Kayitz 2020! He’s counting down the days for his 3rd summer at Yavneh, where he started as a Mishlachat (Israeli staff) and is looking forward for all kinds of new experiences with Kfirim ’20 - from ReLiSh to Yom Israel to Agam to KTV! Yuvi's favorite thing about camp is how everywhere he looks there is always a special moment to capture with his camera! Between summers, Yuval is a professional photographer and videographer and studied Art and Digital Media at Tel Aviv University. Yuvi loves hiking, basketball, reading books, and has already begun planning for Kayitz 2020!

Cara Parnes – K’15

My name is Cara Parnes! I am currently a junior at East Carolina University where I am studying to become a special education teacher in the adaptive curriculum! I’m my free time I love to take classes at Pure Barre and spend time with my friends! This will be my 12th summer at camp and I am so excited to be back with my amazing campers for the 4th summer in a row!!

Jennie Kleinman – K’ 15

Jennie can’t wait to be Rosh Gefen this kayitz with Brosenn! This summer will be her 12th summer at Yavneh and 4th summer on staff. When she is not at camp she’s either in Westchester, where she grew up or at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for college studying Psychology. This past semester she was studying abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark which was such an amazing experience! Jennie is so excited to get back to camp and enjoy the Agam, Shabbat, and all of the other amazing activities. She can’t wait to see all of you so soon!

Ben Rosenn – K’16

When Ben Rosenn first walked into camp in the summer of 2010, his life would change forever. Affectionately dubbed “Brosenn” by his counselors and fellow campers, Brosenn frolicked in the Agam, danced to rikudim, and ate LOTS of nish-nush. Brosenn has now enjoyed 10 whole summers at Yavneh, and he truly can’t wait for his 11th with Gefen! While not at camp, Brosenn studies political science at Emory University, but, most recently, he took the year off to work for a Democratic presidential campaign in New Hampshire, Iowa, and Michigan. Brosenn loves baseball, reading, singing in the shower, and, most of all, Gefen 2020!!!

Toby Mars – K ’16

Toby can’t wait for Gurim 2020! This is her third summer on staff and her 11th summer at Camp Yavneh. She is thrilled to be welcoming campers exploring Yavneh for the first time and campers returning for the awesome Yavneh experience they know and love. Toby is studying art and psychology at The Ohio State University and in her free time she paints and plays guitar. She is looking forward to swimming in the Agam, singing and dancing at ReLiSh, and making sure that everyone in Gurim has the best kayitz ever!

Josh Finkel – K’16

Josh can't wait to be Rosh Gurim this summer!!! This is Josh's 9th summer at Yavneh, and his 3rd summer in Gurim-- the best ayda in camp! Josh is really looking forward to Zimriyah, Maccabiah, and our Achla Yoms this summer!! From September to June you will find Josh in NYC at New York University, where he is  majoring in Game Design at the Tisch School of the Arts. Some of Josh’s passions are art, animals, and of course, Yavneh.  He can't wait to meet his campers and have a great summer together!

Marcia Feldmann

Marcia has been the baker at Yavneh for six summers while her three children attended camp.  During the year, Marcia is the retreat coordinator  and once camp starts, she is the bakery and salad room manager and baker. Prior to this, she worked for three years as a chef at Bentley Commons Assisted Living in Bedford, New Hampshire, and had a catering business for seven years. She has an AAS in Veterinary Technology, BS in Biology and a BS in Medical Illustration. Marcia lives in Londonderry, New Hampshire with her husband Bob, and three cats Stella Ella, Max Eugene and Ginger. Her children Molly, Deena and Eli currently attend Rochester Institute of Technology.

Shlomit Keehn

Shirah Rubin

Shirah Rubin’s work in Jewish education focuses on creative arts-based learning in Jewish educational frameworks.  Her past positions include Director of Education and Administration at BIMA at Brandeis; Art Department Head at Gann Academy; Director of Arts and Culture at Brown/RISD Hillel; and Director of Congregational Learning at Kehillath Israel. She is a sculptor who works in mixed media and has worked in ceramics, mosaics, glass and photography, often combining these media. She enjoys expressing ideas and feelings in a visual language using materials appropriate to the metaphorical, historical and social elements of a project. As a teaching artist she has developed art and professional development workshops for audiences ranging from pre-k through adult students and teachers in settings ranging from museums to universities. This year Shirah has participated in IAC Gvanim, a leadership program of the Israeli American Council in Boston. Shirah is excited to be serving as the new Director of Family Camp in 2020.

Tammy Schneider

Tammy has long been a fan of Jewish summer camp, having been a camper, counselor and a camper parent. Most recently, Tammy served as the camp administrator at a URJ camp,  spending three hot summers in Greensboro, N.C. Tammy has lived in the Boston area for most of her life. She earned a degree in finance from Boston University and spent a few years at Kibbutz Ketura in southern Israel, where she traveled the country extensively, from the Golan Heights to the Red Sea. Tammy currently lives in Newton, MA with her husband, Craig, and two children. She is active in her synogogue, and enjoys walking, ice skating, playing games and watching Jewish films as well as supporting her daughter’s theatre work in the Boston area (when not at summer camp) and her son’s Quidditch matches at McGill University.  

Russ Hoffman

Russ has been a practicing clinical psychologist for about 20 years. He has been the school psychologist at SAR High School in Riverdale, NY for the past 15 years and has also worked with children and adolescents in his private practice throughout that time as well. Russ has a passion for using psychology and therapeutic interventions to help people harness their strengths and actualize change. He also has a passion for comic books, games, science and science fiction. He is very excited to join the Camp Yavneh team and to help campers have an awesome camp experience.

Roseanne Lesack

Roseanne Lesack is the Director of a child psychology clinic in South Florida. She has also spent more than 15 summers at numerous summer camps in various positions from counselor, to teacher, to head of staff training. This will be her third summer at Yavneh and she is excited to work with the counseling staff and campers to offer support and training. She is also the mother of three Yavneh campers.

Suzi Polirer

Suzi Polirer, RN, has been on the nursing staff of Camp Yavneh since 1991! In addition to her B.S. in Nursing, NHTI 1982, Suzi has an A.B. from CCNY. She began her career as a teacher at MTJ in NY and she switched careers entering nursing and serving in the ER, endoscopy and finally transitioning to elementary school nursing in Florida in 2002. Suzi brings her broad spectrum of lifelong learning and nursing skills to the Marp – her summer home on Lucas Pond. Suzi is married to Rabbi Richie and their four children are Yavneh alums - Jonathan, Eric, Meredith and Daniel. Soon, her grandchildren will be among the chanichim at Yavneh, too!

Charlotte Ross

Charlotte Ross is a math educator in the Newton Public Schools. She has spent many years attending camp, as a counselor and assistant camp director. This will be Charlotte’s first summer as part of Yavneh’s counseling staff but her sixth summer as a Yavneh parent. She looks forward to making this summer an amazing experience for the campers.  

Amy Siege

Amy Siege is a psychotherapist in private practice in Amherst, Massachusetts.  She has over 20 years of experience working with clients of all ages dealing with a range of issues including anxiety and depression.  She is the mother of a Yavneh camper who was in Kerem last summer and is looking forward to his summer in Israel with Na'aleh.  This is her first summer working at Yavneh and she is excited to work with campers and staff to help everyone have a great summer.

Stacey Wyner

Stacey Wyner, APRN, FNP, joined the Marp staff in 2009. Her first experience with Yavneh was as a counselor in 1991 for Kfirim girls, then returned for Family Camp for a few summers with her husband and four children. Stacey has been working as a nurse practitioner for the past 20 years. Eighteen years were spent in a family practice in Connecticut and the last two years have been spent in a School-Based Health Clinic providing healthcare to underserved teens. Her children have all loved camp, only the younger two remain at Yavneh as campers. She is looking forward to another great summer at Yavneh.

Adrienne Rosenhek Berman

Adrienne has spent her life connected to the Jewish community through schools, camps, youth groups, synagogues and volunteering. Her educational and parenting philosophy is rooted in love and consistency; setting clear expectations and fostering independence in children. She earned a BA in Early Childhood and Elementary Education and an MA in Educational Leadership from Concordia and McGill Universities, respectively, and currently works at Aleph Preschool as the Early Childhood Professional Growth Specialist. Adrienne has spent the past two summers at Camp Ramah in Wisconsin and is excited to join the team at Yavneh. She loves to read, play games and have a house full of friends or family! Originally from Montreal, Canada, Adrienne now lives in Minneapolis with her husband Efrem and their children, Cassie, Zachary and Tessa (who'll be at Yavneh too!).  

Ann Lapin

Ann Lapin and her family live in Riverdale, NY. She owns a Mary Kay business and is a fitness trainer in the northwest Bronx. Ann has been an interim boarding care provider for a local adoption agency for over seven years. When no one else is watching, she updates her blog and finds ways to avoid cooking at all costs.

Rachel Perdue

Rachel has been working as a professional artist for over 25 years. She has experience in painting, sculpture, graphic design, ceramics and art consulting. This is Rachel’s second summer at Camp Yavneh and she is looking forward to working with campers in the art room and creating a variety of projects. Three of her four children will be at camp with her and we are all excited for a new experience.

Scott Rubins

Scott returns for his 23rd year and was previously Rosh Banim. Scott has worked in the public safety world as a peace officer and for almost 30 years as an EMT with the Scarsdale Ambulance. He holds a Masters degree from Teacher’s College, Columbia University, teaches Forensic Science at New Rochelle High School and is an Adjunct Professor for Syracuse University. Scott comes to camp with his wife, Lisa and son, Jack.

Elana Saenger

Elana has been coming to Camp Yavneh for eight years. She was the Director of Family Camp before moving to Riverdale, NY. During the summer, Elana co-directs the Gan for the staff children. Elana has many years of experience working in day school and preschool settings in the New York and Boston areas. During the year, she teaches and provides English as Second Language support to students at SAR Academy. She comes to camp with her son Eytan who is 16 and daughter Rebecca, who is 11. Yavneh is Elana's second home. She loves painting and playing outside with Yavneh's youngest "campers." In addition to spending time with her family, Elana enjoys reading, biking, traveling hiking, and doing arts and crafts.  

David Schlacht

David has been photographing at Yavneh for over 10 years. While living in New York and after moving to LA in 2008, he and his wife Harriet and three kids attended Family Camp at Yavneh for many years. More recently he has been part of camp as a father of a camper and as a photographer for the last three summers. When not out shooting you can find him out at night taking photos of the dark skies and Milky Way  or whale watching down in Gloucester.

Amy Glickman Sharff

Amy joins us from Zichron Yaakov, Israel where she is a Classical Ballet Teacher for children and adults and runs her own lactation consultant business. She is originally from Northampton, MA where her three children attended the Lander Grinspoon Academy. Amy is excited to share her Yavneh summer with her daughter Nili.

Ruthie Simon

Ruthie (Strosberg) Simon discovered Camp Yavneh at the age of 8. She was a camper in Gurim, Kfirim, and Maalot, and led the Na’aleh trip to Israel. She earned a BA from Union College and a MA from Hebrew College. Following four years working at Prozdor, Ruthie moved to NYC and joined the administration of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah Rabbinical School. She has been with YCT for 13 years and is currently the Director of Placement and Alumni Affairs. Ruthie and her husband Joel live in Riverdale with their two children, Hattie and Avery.

Marty Sullaway

Aliza Boroda

Travis Corcoran

Travis is excited to start his first summer at camp as Rosh Etgar! He has been an avid Obstacle Course Racer for three years and lives for new endurance and adventure challenges! Travis has guided groups of all ages and abilities through NH's largest obstacle training facility, Derti OCR Training, right here in Northwood, NH! During the rest of the year, Travis teaches pre-k through 8th grade general music, band and chorus and coaches soccer, basketball and baseball in Acton, ME. Travis fills his free time practicing drums, training for obstacle races and enjoying life with his wife and baby daughter!

Adina Deutsch

Adina is thrilled to be coming back to Camp Yavneh for her 14th summer. As Rosh Mishlachat, her summers are spent guiding our Israeli madrichim (counselors) and planning high energy Israeli-themed activities and special programs in Hebrew, including Yom Israel celebrations. During the year, Adina lives in Efrat, Gush Etzion, and is a trained Physical Therapist who works with children with disabilities in schools, and with kindergarten children with autism. Through the Israeli Ministry of Education, she mentors other physical therapists. But mostly, Adina and her children count down the days until they can come back to their home away from home at Yavneh!

Tali Edry

Tali was an art teacher in Israel and moved to the United States at a shliach. She taught K-8 at the Heritage Academy and was very involved in the community. Last year, Tali returned to Israel, after her two daughters made aliyah. She currently teaches art in an elementary school. Tali and her husband, Yehuda, have five children and their youngest daughter will be a camper at Yavneh.

Mica Felsztyna

Mica is from Cordoba, Argentina and has a degree from the Institute of Physical Education and a diploma in Aerobic training. Mica’s specialty as an Air Aerobic teacher has been a hit at camp. This is Mica’s 6th summer at Yavneh. Mica is married to Marcelo.

Julie Leshem

Julie has been creating and teaching ceramics for over 25 years. Her studio, Golden Lights Pottery is in Efrat, and her work focuses on integrating Judaic themes with usable and aesthetic pieces. Julie is returning to camp for her 8th summer and looks forward to encouraging creativity while at the same time teaching basic skills working with clay and using the potters wheel. Julie lives in Efrat with her husband and enjoys her six children and many grandchildren.

Marcelo Marianoff

Marcelo is an Israeli Dance Teacher and choreographer from Cordoba, Argentina. In addition to teaching at the local Jewish school and Maccabi Club, Marcelo also teaches dance in camps, festivals and workshops all over the world. Some of the places that he travels include Switzerland, England, Peru, Finland, Turkey, Costa Rica, France, Russia, Venezuela, Panama, and Northwood, New Hampshire. This is Marcelo's nineth summer at Yavneh.

Jayne Miller

This is Jayne’s 16th summer bringing her craft to Yavneh. Jayne is skilled in and has taught spinning, quilting, enameling, jewelry and other subjects. She has taken and taught numerous art workshops over many years. She is married to Barry and has three children at Yavneh.

Jake Smith

Jake started singing at the age of 5 and went on to sing in competitive small ensembles and choirs. Studied as a soloist (with Bill Reed, Chuck Schneider, Lauri Young, and Amy Williams) from 15 on and Majored in Musical Theatre Performance (with a double minor in Psychopathology and Classical Literature) at Wagner College in NYC. He played clarinet in the VYO for several years and later picked up Piano and then Guitar. He sings as a Tenor section leader in the world renowned Shaar Hashomayim Synagogue Choir under the direction of Roi Azoulay. He won a Juno award for album of the year and a Grammy award for Rock Performance of the year for his work on Leonard Cohen's "You Want it Darker".

Benzi Thee

Benzi is celebrating his 14th year at Yavneh. During the year he lives in Israel with his wife, Yonina, and their six children. Benzi has a B.A. in music and a masters in Music Therapy and plays in a simcha/wedding band.

Allie Abels – K’14

Will Barry – K’13

Will is super excited to return for his 13th summer at Yavneh! He was member of Kerem 13 and calls NH home. During the school year he attends University of Maryland where he studies Government and Politics and Secondary Social Studies Education. His favorite place at camp is the Agam!!!

Sara Birnbaum

Sara Birnbaum has more than 17 years of experience in synagogue schools, Jewish camps and United Synagogue Youth. Sara recently served as the educational director at Congregation Shaarei Tikvah in Scarsdale, NY. Sara received her MSW from YU and her Bachelor’s in Family Studies from Hofstra University. In addition, she began her Rabbinical studies at JTS and is continuing at the Academy for Jewish Religion. Sara and her husband Dan enjoy spending free time with their four children (all at Yavneh this summer) traveling, bike riding, spending time at the beach and playing sports.

Joanne Camann

This will be Joanne’s 11th summer at camp. Joanne currently teaches first grade at MetroWest Jewish Day School in Framingham, MA. She has taught for many years in a variety of settings including Jewish preschools, afternoon Hebrew schools and day schools. Joanne holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Brandeis as well as three Master's, in Education, Social Work and Jewish studies.

Justin Cammy

Rabbi Karen Citrin

Karen attended Yavneh as a camper, counselor and rosh aydah from 87-96. She serves as co-rabbi and educator at Temple Beth David in Westwood, MA. A graduate of Brandeis, Karen received her smicha from the Hebrew Union College (HUC-JIR) in Los Angeles and holds a Master’s Degree in Jewish Education from the HUC-JIR. As Yavneh shaped her Jewish identity, Karen looks forward to teaching and engaging the next generation. Karen will be joined at camp by Micah and their twin sons, Itai and Yonah.

Rabbi Micah Citrin

Micah is co-rabbi and educator at Temple Beth David in Westwood, MA. A graduate of the University of Oregon, Micah received his smicha from the Hebrew Union College (HUC-JIR) in Los Angeles and holds a Master’s Degree in Jewish Education from HUC-JIR. Micah spent many memorable summers as a camper, counselor, song leader, rosh aydah and director of education in California. Most importantly, Micah is abbato 4th grade twins Itai and Yonah.

Limor Cohen Melul

Limor is a native Hebrew speaker and has been involved in Jewish education for over two decades. Limor currently teaches Judaic and Hebrew Studies at Maimonides school, as well as mentoring teachers at Brandeis University. Limor strongly believes that knowing Hebrew can deepen one’s connection to Jewish identity and to Israel. This is Limor’s 8th summer working at Camp Yavneh.

Yehuda Edry

Yehuda taught Hebrew and Judaic Studies at the Heritage Academy for many years. He was also the youth director at B'nai Torah and worked at Temple Beth El and Temple Sinai as Hebrew school teacher, helping prepare kids for their bar and bat mitzvot. Together with his wife, Tali, Yehuda made aliyah to Israel two years ago and is currently teaching in a both a middle and high school in Israel.

Roselyn Farren

Roselyn joined Tzevet Morim in 2017, and since then has enjoyed teaching chanichim of all ages. She's thrilled to occasionally see her children while they have the time of their lives at camp -- Miryam (K '18), Boaz (K'21), Ori (K '24) and Will (you do the math; he's 4).  For nearly two decades, Roselyn has taught text to students of a wide range of ages in formal and informal settings. She served as faculty at Prozdor for more than ten years, where she taught Tanach, Rabbinics and Israeli literature. She holds a PhD in English literature from Brandeis and currently teaches ELA at Plymouth North High School.

Rabbi Marshall Lesack

Marshall Lesack is the Principal of the Claire and Emanuel G. Rosenblatt Highschool at Donna Klein Jewish Academy in Boca Raton, FL, and also serves as the Chair of the Jewish Studies department. He served as the Assistant Director at Camp Ramah Darom and was a faculty advisor for the Cornerstone Fellowship through the Foundation for Jewish Camp. Marshall has degrees from the rabbinic and the education programs at the Jewish Theological Seminary and a B.A. from Rutgers University, and studied in universities and yeshivot in Israel. He loves camp and is thrilled to be coming to Yavneh this summer with his wife and 3 children.

Maayan Leshem

Rav Amalia Mark

Amalia is currently stocking up on sunscreen and seforim in anticipation of joining Yavneh for her second summer! Amalia has worked as a community organizer in Baltimore City with Repair the World and as the director of Jewish Student Life at the University of Arizona Hillel. Amalia has also studied Experiential Education at the Pardes Center for Jewish Educators. This fall Amalia is returning to Boston from Israel for her Shana Daled year at Hebrew College. When not in the Beit Midrash, she can be found baking cookies or hanging out with her cats.

Marla Olsberg

Marla Olsberg is excited to return to the Tzevet Morim for her 10th year. Marla worked in various Jewish Educational settings for the past 25 years. She is employed by the Boston- Haifa Connection (CJP) as the Project Manager for the School to School partnerships between Boston and Haifa. Her work revolves around Jewish Identity and Peoplehood. She both taught and was an administrator at South Area Solomon Schechter for 20 years.

Rabbi Richard Polirer

Richard Polirer, aka Rabbi Richie, has been a Moreh at Yavneh since 1992. A pulpit Rabbi since 1977, he brings to Yavneh his wide array of teaching expertise. Rabbi Richie coordinates Torah readers for the Egalitarian Minyan, delivers the news from Israel and helps prepare children for their B’nai Mitzvah. He comes to us from Florida where we pursues his interests, including history, linguistics and chazzanut. Rabbi Richie is accompanied at Yavneh by his wife, Nurse Suzi.